I would like to offer another perspective on “Farewell Ironman,” Hana Kealoha’s letter to the editor on Sept. 24.
I would like to offer another perspective on “Farewell Ironman,” Hana Kealoha’s letter to the editor on Sept. 24.
I believe that the statistical data shown as to where the multitudes of Ironman athletes and their families stay while they are here and where they shop, it is clearly demonstrated that our entire state and county benefits from having the Ironman World Championship here in Kona at a time of year when tourism usually is slower. Granted the influx of all of these visitors at one time and the necessary closure of some lanes of traffic is inconvenient for those of us who live here but for the PR that it provides for the Big Island in supporting this clean industry is beyond measure. It is also a time when (for the most part) our entire community comes together to support someone else’s dream of completing this race. That support too, is immeasurable! I could not be prouder of the amazing community spirit that exists on the Big Island especially during Ironman week. We are unique with our gifts of aloha and the experience that the athletes will have in another location will not be the same as what we provide here.
In considering the inconveniences that the race has on individuals working at the resorts on race day or on families who wish to use the beaches, the roads are not closed until it is time for the bikers to be protected from traffic and this allows families to go to the beaches prior to the bikers arriving into the resort areas.
As the executive director of the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation, I can assure you that the Ironman Foundation has been extremely active for decades in providing life-saving equipment to the Hawaii Fire Department that serves our entire Big Island community. They provided funding for the brushfire truck for 7 Bravo that was instrumental in helping to fight the most recent fires on our Island. They have provided funding that has purchased swift-water rescue training and equipment, Jaws of Life, underwater communication systems and gear for our SCUBA rescue team, as well as PA systems for our lifeguards, all of which have helped to save lives of our community members and visitors alike. This year they provided multiple food distributions for families that were impacted negatively by the COVID pandemic and they have been instrumental in providing significant grant funding for Hospice and Special Olympics to just name a few of the recipients of their support. So from a totally different perspective, I welcome their presence and their support in our community and I look forward to having them return the race to Kona.
Laura Mallery-Sayre, RDH, MSDHEd, is a 38-year volunteer for the Ironman World Triathlon World Championship.
